Stem cells could create new skin to help burns victims

BBC News

French researchers say they have found a way of using human embryonic stem cells to create new skin which could help serious burns victims.

Human embryonic stem cells are able to change into any of the 200 cell types in the human body

They say the stem cells grew into fully formed human skin 12 weeks after being grafted on to mice.

The researchers, writing in the Lancet journal, say the skin could solve the problems of rejection that burns patients currently face.

One stem cell expert said they had made an important advance.

Burns techniques

For more than 20 years, patients with serious burns have benefited from a technique which grows new skin in the laboratory using their own skin cells.

But the technique takes three weeks, putting the patients at risk of dehydration and infection.

Skin from cadavers is used during this period to cover the wounds but its availability is limited and it is often rejected by the patient's immune system.

Artificial nets which cells can grow on have also been tried. But they do not work on large burns, where they increase the risk of rejection and disease transmission because they can contain material from cows and other humans.

Skin formation

The researchers duplicated the biological steps that lead to skin formation during embryonic development.

They placed the calls on an artificial net which helped the cells to form a layer of skin.

This was grafted on to five mice and 12 weeks later, the skin had a structure consistent with human skin.

Dr Christine Baldeschi, from the Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases in Evry, France, who led the research, said the results were promising.

She said the technique could lead to "an unlimited resource for temporary skin replacement in patients with large burns awaiting grafts of their own skin".

Researchers are now planning a human trial of the new technique.

An accompanying editorial by Holger Schluter of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, said the research represented an important advance.

He said: "This report takes research into regenerative skin stem cells to the next level.

"This finding suggests that skin derived from embryonic stem cells could be transplanted onto burnt patients awaiting skin grafts, with a reduced risk of rejection."

Mammogram Recommendations Draw Widespread Anger

Doctors, Medical Centers, Former Patients Reject New Guidelines

By JOSEPH BROWNSTEIN
ABC News Medical Unit

New guidelines saying women between the ages of 40 and 50 should not receive mammograms to screen for breast cancer have met a groundswell of rejection from many medical centers, breast cancer survivors and numerous doctors -- some of whom have advised their patients to ignore the recommendation.

The American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology are among the many groups that supported the old guidelines and have stood firmly by them since the United States Preventive Services Task Force released its new recommendations Monday evening.

The USPSTF, a panel of independent medical experts, said it was recommending against annual mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 49, saying the risks outweighed the benefits from earlier screening. That announcement, which goes against a trend of recommending increased screening by cancer agencies, has left many confused.

Meanwhile, doctors' offices and hospitals have been fielding calls from women wanting to know what these new guidelines will mean for them.

One of these calls came not from a woman concerned about getting breast cancer but one who has already had it. Beth Thompson, 44, a mother of four who lives in the suburbs of Baltimore, Md., was first diagnosed with breast cancer following a mammogram at the age of 40.

"I had no risk factors and no family history," Thompson told ABCNews.com. "Under the new guidelines I wouldn't be screened. That's why I'm so upset about this. I firmly believe I would not be here today if I had not had a screening mammogram at 40." Read more...

Five Painless Ways to Get Your Fiber On

Bob Greene's Advice on What Foods to Eat to Get Enough Fiber in Your Diet

By LARA NAAMAN and JONANN BRADY

Abc News

Fiber is important to a healthy diet, but many Americans aren't getting enough of it. Most women under 50 are getting about 40 percent less fiber than they should. And men are even worse, getting only about half the recommended amount.

Fiber is good for your digestion and promotes weight loss, but it can also help prevent heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, diverticulitis and obesity.

Fiber-rich foods can also be a source of important nutrients, such as B vitamins, selenium and magnesium.

Bob Greene, author of "The Best Life Diet Cookbook," has the lowdown on fiber -- how much you need, easy ways to increase your fiber intake, and some surprising fiber-boosting foods you may not have known about.

Daily Fiber Recommendation

50 and younger

How to Get It

Eat high fiber cereals for breakfast. You can rack up one-third to one-half your daily fiber requirement in a 160-calorie bowl, because a lot of these high-fiber options have the added benefit of being low in calories. You want to stick to cereals that have at least 5 or 6 grams per serving.

Some high-fiber cereals include All Bran, Uncle Sam, Kashi Go Lean, Nature's Path Optimum Slim, Nature's Path Flax Plus, raisin bran and Special K Protein Plus.

Beans are a great source of fiber as well as other important vitamins and minerals. Black beans, lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, red kidney beans and chickpeas are all great and can be easily incorporated into your diet.

Eat whole grain versions of staple foods. Eat brown rice, whole wheat pasta (or as an interim step, have a fiber-enriched or partially whole wheat pasta), barley, bulgur wheat and quinoa, and use whole grain crackers and bread.

One-hundred percent whole wheat breads, tortillas, English muffins and pitas contain twice the fiber and almost half the calories of their all-white counterparts.

Some products include Wasa Crispbread (multigrain, hearty rye and fiber rye are all good choices), Barilla whole grain pasta, Flatout flatbread multigrain wrap, Peppperidge Farm 100% Natural and 100% Whole Wheat Reduced Sodium Bread.

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Teeth grinders are in for a shock

BBC News

Patients complaining of grinding their teeth in their sleep are being given mild electric shock treatment.

Mild electric shocks are used to deter teeth grinding

A chain of private dental practices in Hull is trialling a device which delivers a tiny electrical impulse when it detects grinding is about to begin.

Teeth grinding - or bruxism - is a common and usually harmless habit induced by stress.

It can, however, cause headaches and stiff necks, as well as irritating a sleeping partner.

Traditional treatments involve wearing a plastic device at night which prevents the top and bottom teeth from meeting.

With this new device, Grindcare , developed in Denmark, a small electrode is placed on the temple which then monitors the movement of facial muscles. When it detects tension mounting, it delivers a tiny electrical impulse - or biofeedback.

This is not consciously detected by the sleeping patient but still serves to relax the muscles.

Painkillers

The device is said to reduce grinding by as much as 80% within two months.

Other ways of tackling bruxism include counselling and relaxation therapies to resolve the initial source of stress and tension.

But Dr David Vivian, the dentist trialling the device, said that grinding could worsen existing anxieties.

"The broken sleep pattern caused by grinding can exacerbate any stresses or worries already being felt by the patient, and add an extra layer of anxiety to their lives.

"They may also be resorting to over-the-counter painkillers to treat side effects, such as headaches, and finding that they are having to increase the dosage all the time.

Results 'promising'

"We are hoping that this biofeedback device will help to break the loop of fitful sleeping, and the psychological and physical problems which grinding can create."

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, said: "Teeth grinding is a problem that affects a significant minority of individuals. It is often caused by stress.

"Patients who are affected by the problem should consult their dentist.

"This study, which was carried out on a small sample of patients, shows promising results.

"Further research will be necessary to establish the technology's true potential."

Obese children 'reject surgery'

BBC News

A survey of clinically obese children says they reject the idea of weight loss surgery.

Obese children think weight loss surgery is dangerous and cheating

More than half of 100 children, who are on the government backed Carnegie Weight Management Programme, say they view gastric bands as "cheating'"

But two-thirds feel they do not get any support to overcome their weight issues when they are at school.

An obesity expert said there needed to be better provision of weight loss services to support children.

'Massive rejection'

Professor Paul Gateley, who leads the Carnegie Weight Management programme in Leeds, said the team had surveyed 100 children aged eight to 17 who had all been diagnosed as clinically obese.

He said this was the first time that anyone had tried to capture the views of obese children.

Only 29% of the children saw eating too much junk food as the cause of their problem.

The majority (59%) claimed that managing portion sizes was the main reason for their heavy weight.

They felt surgery was not just cheating (60%) but dangerous (71%) and just under two-thirds (61%) believed there were easier ways to lose weight.

Professor Gateley said: "Many people talk about surgery for obese children but really this is a massive rejection of it by the children themselves.

"They want to be normal and be given the guidance and self-esteem necessary to beat their weight issues."

School problems

More than half the children (60%) felt they do not get any support in overcoming their weight issues at school.

They also complained (42%) that they are subjected to bullying because of their size.

Professor Gateley said: "Across the board, school is not helping them sort their weight out - the food is problematic, the exercise is inappropriate for them and the bullying culture against them is not addressed."

The obese children had the normal fears and worries of teenagers and 58% think their body weight and image will prevent them from getting a boyfriend or girlfriend.

A similar percentage were worried that their weight will prevent them from pursuing their dream career.

Professor Gateley said: "We know from outcomes evidence that they won't have the same chances - they are less likely to get married and US studies show they may even be paid less for the same job."

'Talk to teacher'

Dr Ian Campbell of the charity Weight Concern said more weight loss services for children were needed.

He said: "The real message here is that young people don't feel they are offered enough support when they seek to tackle their weight problems.

"In my experience it is very difficult for young people to raise the subject of weight with their family, let alone a health professional or teacher."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face.

"Whether to prescribe drugs or recommend surgery is rightly a clinical decision.

"Independent guidance on obesity from NICE recommends that drugs and surgery should always be a last resort - a better diet and more exercise should be tried first."